Photodefined polymeric photonic materials and processes

Thomas B. Gorczyca; Min-Yi Shih

doi:10.1117/12.504749

12 December 2003 Photodefined polymeric photonic materials and processes

Thomas B. Gorczyca, Min-Yi Shih

Proceedings Volume 5179, Optical Materials and Structures Technologies; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.504749
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A photo patterned fabrication process for manufacture of passive polymer composite waveguide structures and devices is presented. The process takes advantage of compatibility between certain polymer/high vapor pressure monomer blends and their refractive index differences to directly photo define passive waveguide structures. With suitable catalysts, monomers present in the composite blend are polymerized in exposed areas, while allowed to evaporate in unexposed areas during a brief post exposure bake. Areas thus produced will have a different composition (i.e. refractive index) in exposed vs. unexposed areas and different thickness due to reactant loss. Composite blends consisting of polysulfone/epoxy or acrylic/epoxy have excellent compatibility for providing photo defined waveguide core regions in either the unexposed areas or exposed areas of processed thin films. Optical loss measurement comparisons for bulk polymer samples and composite thin films to the photo patterned waveguides indicate loss in the patterned waveguides are similar to the polymer intrinsic loss. Additionally, by taking advantage of the process providing control over refractive index and surface topography, other photonic components such as micro lenses can be fabricated.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas B. Gorczyca and Min-Yi Shih "Photodefined polymeric photonic materials and processes", Proc. SPIE 5179, Optical Materials and Structures Technologies, (12 December 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.504749

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available